Any word on Fast Pass+ coming to Disneyland?

[bangzoom6877]

We got back a couple of weeks ago from WDW, and we are in the early planning stages of our first trip to California next July. We will be using 3-day park hoppers for DL and DCA, and I know that they currently use the regular Fast Pass system that we used to use at WDW for years. Is the return window one hour?

Does anyone know if there's anything in the works for bringing FP+ to Disneyland?

 

[Blue32]

We got back a couple of weeks ago from WDW, and we are in the early planning stages of our first trip to California next July. We will be using 3-day park hoppers for DL and DCA, and I know that they currently use the regular Fast Pass system that we used to use at WDW for years. Is the return window one hour?

Does anyone know if there's anything in the works for bringing FP+ to Disneyland?

Nothing in the works yet for FP+ at DLR, that we know of. If there is, it most definitely will not be by next summer.

The current FP window is 1 hour and you should plan on returning during that window as the return times are being enforced.

Have fun planning! Next year will be an exciting time to visit with the 60th anniversary celebration in full swing by summer.

 

[figment_jii]

My incinlination is to say that FP+ won't show at DLR until 1) all the kinks/bugs are worked out at WDW and 2) until after they finish celebrating the 60th anniversary next year. The demographics of the DLR guest is markedly different from that of the WDW guest, so there is less "need" for FP+ to be introduced. I do think that it will eventually show up at DLR, but probably not for a few years.

The FP system at DLR is just like the system at WDW prior to the implementation of FP+. Guests can obtain FPs using a valid park ticket. The return window is 1 hour long and times are enforced. There is no set grace period, so plan to return during the time window printed on the ticket. The two parks are "disconnected" meaning you can get a FP in DL and a FP in DCA and they don't impact one another. Within the same park (not counting WoC), you have to wait either two hours or until the time window opens, whichever comes first, to get the next FP. WoC FPs are "disconnected" from the entire system, meaning you could get a WoC FP and then immediately go get a Soarin' FP (or any other FP in DCA).

 

[GatorChris]

Disneyland can't even get their own resort hotel keys to work as park tickets (like they do at WDW). There isn't a chance of them figuring that out before they can make the hotels and park computers talk to each other.

 

[mom2rtk]

Disneyland can't even get their own resort hotel keys to work as park tickets (like they do at WDW). There isn't a chance of them figuring that out before they can make the hotels and park computers talk to each other.

Well, IT shortcomings didn't stop them from rolling it out at WDW.

I actually think the biggest obstacle is room to add FP return lines to most attractions.

 

[superlarz]

I think we will get electronic fastpasses sometime after the 60th. I dont think they will add FP+ to every little thing like they have at WDW. Itll be more of a hybrid of the current system and FP+. Maybe advance reservations as a perk for hotel guests. I dont see it going much further than that.

 

[grnflash]

Well, IT shortcomings didn't stop them from rolling it out at WDW.

I actually think the biggest obstacle is room to add FP return lines to most attractions.

100% agree. I think many Disney moves of late (granted, primarily at WDW) indicate they are willing to sacrifice an appreciable amount of guest satisfaction and positive perception in lieu of their bigger money-making goals. Which, sure, happens in all business arenas. But where to put the FP+ queues at DL. That is literally a tangible obstacle that can't be positive spun around even by the PR execs.

And then I wonder what the point would be to do such extensive infrastructure work to make it happen at DL. A big selling point for the program at WDW is the 30 day advantage on site guests get to book their FP+'s. The return on investment isn't there from the paltry 2500 hotel rooms at DLR, compared to the 25,000+ at WDW.

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

Useful tip: the current system isn't exactly the same as the old one at WDW. The machines don't automatically pull your card in all the way like they did at WDW, nor can you insert your card in any direction.

At DL you insert your card and pull it right back out, keeping it in your hand the whole time. When you pull your card back out, that's when the machine gives you the FP. You also have to insert your card (ticket ,AP, whatever) in a specific direction/orientation. There's a drawing on every machine to show you which way the barcode should be facing.

 

[bangzoom6877]

Useful tip: the current system isn't exactly the same as the old one at WDW. The machines don't automatically pull your card in all the way like they did at WDW, nor can you insert your card in any direction. At DL you insert your card and pull it right back out, keeping it in your hand the whole time. When you pull your card back out, that's when the machine gives you the FP. You also have to insert your card (ticket ,AP, whatever) in a specific direction/orientation. There's a drawing on every machine to show you which way the barcode should be facing.

Thanks for this tip! Sounds like the ATM machine!

 

[bangzoom6877]

Thank you everyone for all the info! I'm looking forward to the 60th anniversary, whatever that may involve at the parks! Sounds just like the old system at WDW except I can get one easily at DCA while we're touring DL, since we will have park hoppers and the parks are so close to each other. As far as distance and walking (which I don't mind at all, I love to walk!), how has your experience been going to the opposite park for a fast pass and then returning to the same park you were in before getting the fast pass at the other park?

 

[kitayama]

If they allow annual pass holders to use their Magic a Bands to buy stuff, I think their return on investment would be high...
I was at Disney World for two weeks. One week we stayed offsite, and the other week we stayed on site. We spent roughly the same amount on our debit cards each week, but we spent an additional $1200 on our magic bands the second week when we stayed in a Disney hotel. Those damn Magic bands make it really easy to buy things.

 

[bangzoom6877]

If they allow annual pass holders to use their Magic a Bands to buy stuff, I think their return on investment would be high... I was at Disney World for two weeks. One week we stayed offsite, and the other week we stayed on site. We spent roughly the same amount on our debit cards each week, but we spent an additional $1200 on our magic bands the second week when we stayed in a Disney hotel. Those damn Magic bands make it really easy to buy things.

Oh yes they do!! We were at WDW for 10 days at the end of July. I love the magic bands though! It was so much easier just getting into the parks with them and not having to hold onto my sons' key cards.

 

[PinkBudgie]

Thank you everyone for all the info! I'm looking forward to the 60th anniversary, whatever that may involve at the parks! Sounds just like the old system at WDW except I can get one easily at DCA while we're touring DL, since we will have park hoppers and the parks are so close to each other. As far as distance and walking (which I don't mind at all, I love to walk!), how has your experience been going to the opposite park for a fast pass and then returning to the same park you were in before getting the fast pass at the other park?

We hop back and forth several times a day holding FPs for both parks at once, especially if the FP is for a late time. The nice thing about DLR over WDW is that you can choose any ride, show, or restaurant in DLR at any given moment. At WDW we found ourselves in a park wanting to eat or ride something but it was in a different park.

At WDW, I did like not hunting through my purse looking for my paper FP while walking to the line. However we had to check the app a lot to be reminded of where we were supposed to be and when.